First 1800 Miles Towing Airstream with R1T

[JamuJoe]

Durango CO to Ocean Springs, MS and now returning west to Big Bend NP. We’re 1800 miles into this planned 5000 mile winter trip, towing our 28’ Airstream (7500 lbs) and the experience has been great.

Our dual motor performance max pack R1T has performed flawlessly. It is a smoother, more powerful, more stable, quieter tow vehicle than my RAM 2500 Cummins, and the shorter wheel base makes maneuvering the trailer much easier.

Charging has not been a problem. One EA station in Sulphur, LA was out of service, otherwise all have been functional and we‘ve only had to unhitch once (Sonic Drive In, Ft Stockton TX). Many more stations are under planning or construction along I-10, although MS is still a charging desert. We have charged overnight in campgrounds, either on the 50 or 30 amp service. Only KOA’s have prohibited charging, and they are not my preference anyway.

With avg. efficiency of 1.1 m/kWh, our 100% SOC range is 190 miles, (I like to leave 30 miles reserve) and we normally prefer 250 mile days max., so one charging stop between campgrounds generally suffices, pending look ahead availability of chargers.

May the remainder of this journey be so smooth!

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[Denver_Paulie]

Joe: You forgot the most important part: pictures!!!

We want to see what you are up to on your road trip.

 

[JamuJoe]

State Park, Carlsbad NM

 

[JamuJoe]

Our First RAN, San Antonio TX (not trailer friendly, but we arrived early)

 

[JamuJoe]

A chicken sandwich charge, Ft Stockton, TX

 

[chicagoair]

With avg. efficiency of 1.1 m/kWh, our 100% SOC range is 190 miles, (I like to leave 30 miles reserve) and we normally prefer 250 mile days max

Thanks for the trip report. What’s been your cruising speed on the highway?

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

This is amazing. Kudos to OP, amazing setup and gives me hope for the EV future.

 

[opnwide]

Super writeup and trip! I see you are a retired Petroleum Engineer, using an EV to successfully tow an Airstream in the deep south. So interesting and I enjoyed your story.

 

[zefram47]

With avg. efficiency of 1.1 m/kWh, our 100% SOC range is 190 miles, (I like to leave 30 miles reserve) and we normally prefer 250 mile days max., so one charging stop between campgrounds generally suffices, pending look ahead availability of chargers.

Interesting data point. Prior to a trip to Moab I tagged along with my parents for (they do an RV) and your trip report, I hadn't realized how few miles many folks tend to do with RVs/trailers per day. The normal road trip mindset of blast ahead as quick as possible kinda goes out the window, I guess. For comparison, I just did Chicago back to Denver in a single day...1000 miles. Highly not recommended, but I managed to pull it off unladen. In their RV, my folks prefer to keep it less than 500 miles per day.

 

[swazi]

Thanks for the writeup.
I normally don't have range anxiety, but towing. Or more specifically Electrify America, gives me some anxiety. My question; how do you plan around the inevitable non working chargers? So let's say you set off at 100% and the charger you plan to stop at is 150 miles away. What is your backup plan if it's not working?

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Durango CO to Ocean Springs, MS and now returning west to Big Bend NP. We’re 1800 miles into this planned 5000 mile winter trip, towing our 28’ Airstream (7500 lbs) and the experience has been great.

Our dual motor performance max pack R1T has performed flawlessly. It is a smoother, more powerful, more stable, quieter tow vehicle than my RAM 2500 Cummins, and the shorter wheel base makes maneuvering the trailer much easier.

Charging has not been a problem. One EA station in Sulphur, LA was out of service, otherwise all have been functional and we‘ve only had to unhitch once (Sonic Drive In, Ft Stockton TX). Many more stations are under planning or construction along I-10, although MS is still a charging desert. We have charged overnight in campgrounds, either on the 50 or 30 amp service. Only KOA’s have prohibited charging, and they are not my preference anyway.

With avg. efficiency of 1.1 m/kWh, our 100% SOC range is 190 miles, (I like to leave 30 miles reserve) and we normally prefer 250 mile days max., so one charging stop between campgrounds generally suffices, pending look ahead availability of chargers.

May the remainder of this journey be so smooth!

This is the type of post, I really enjoy and your adventure is certainly one to follow! Great looking R1T and of course Airstream! Subscribed.

 

[jplblue]

Great report -- thanks! Glad to hear that the charging for Big Bend worked out. I had range anxiety during our road trip there in a gas RV! Would love to make it back there in the Rivian.

 

[HaveBlue]

Headed off on a towing adventure to the beach in a few minutes. I'll see about taking notes.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Great review! DM + Max Pack would be my ideal towing vehicle, as well. Safe travels.

 

[evhelphub]

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

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